Z SPACE AT THEATER ARTAUD - 1 AM - CHROME - 63 BLUXOME

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

06.25.10

(with assistance from GETBIZI and RWM)

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Z Space at Theatre Artaud: Katrina Rodabaugh - The Dresses/Objects Project.

Comment by AB: Katrina Rodabaugh collaborates with 30 literary, visual and performing artists to produce an interdisciplinary fashion, poetry, music and dance extravaganza.

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1AM Gallery: Mark Bode - Wizards, Lizards, and Broads.

With guest artists: Vaughn Bode, Vincent Bode, KC Angel, Stan 153, King 157, James O'Barr.

Comment by AB: From science fiction to cheesecake, you'll delight in it here. Thirty years of favorites by Mark Bode, classic originals by father Vaughn Bode, one-of-a-kind Bode Puma kicks, fresh Bode fashion, and more.

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SFMOMA - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Calder to Warhol - Introducing the Fisher Collection.

Review by GETBIZI: I have butterflies in my stomach as the elevator doors open up to the 4th floor, and to the many Calder mobiles in the "Calder to Warhol" show. The first room you step into is filled with Calder's signature works, eight in all, mobiles and wire sculptures which provide a very light and airy intro to the exhibit. Although the mobiles are large in scale, they feel rather light, like weightless elements floating around you-- right, left and above-- as if walking through a room full of butterflies. It is amazing to experience so many Calder pieces all in one place and so well presented.

This exhibit is an introduction to the Fisher collection as it comprises only of 10% of the 1,100 piece collection. The big name artists include Calder, Close, Richter, LeWitt, Serra, Warhol & many more. Aside from the roster, the most impressive thing about this collection is what it says about the Fishers as art lovers-- that they appreciate the 'full' life cycle of art, the ideas behind each piece, and how each piece embodies the artist's energy, mind and soul.

For example, each of Richard Serra's large scale 'prop pieces' weighs tons, but Serra somehow makes them seem like they defy gravity. He sees each of the pieces floating and interacting with one another; he "feels" each of the pieces that makes up each artwork.

Sol LeWitt believes that concept is more powerful than the form. His visions were executed by other artists and students whom he had invited to assist him; this was radical during his time. Here you have the concept, the idea, the vision behind the 'art' as well as the final physical form that the art takes.

And of course Warhol's wonderful paintings and his understanding and appreciation of the 'celebrity brand'-- Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, etc. It does make sense with respect to his work in the magazine business which influenced his 'view' of celebrities.

Again, this is only an introduction to the incomparable Fisher collection. I am sure we will see many more amazing works by big name artists of the past century, and I thank the Fisher family on making this happen. A large portion of this superb collection has previously been on display in various Gap offices for their employees to appreciate, and this is the first major exhibition open to the public, so do not miss it! I also highly recommend the audio tour that accompanies the show to get the most out of your Fisher collection experience.

Comment by AB: There's art and there's museum art. All art museums have art; not that many have museum art. Thanks to The Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, SFMOMA now has more museum art than ever-- way more-- stunning top of the line masterworks from the likes of Warhol and Lichtenstein to Richter and Polke. What doesn't overpower you with sheer size, quality and stature will do so by virtue of its prodigious historical significance. My predilection happens to trend historical like, for instance, a 1961 Pop Art progenitor black and white painting of an ad for a power drill by Warhol, a stark Lichtenstein black and white painting of a tire from 1962, and a singular Sam Francis electric expressionist abstraction from 1959. But it's all astounding here, so good in fact that trying to pick favorites will ultimately prove futile. (The amazing part? I only shoot half the show-- the fifth floor; the rest is on the fourth floor) The exhibition runs through September 19, 2010. You gotta see this!

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Chrome Store: Tuffy Tuffington (aka Lil Tuffy) - New Works on Papger.

Review by RWM: The bicycle here as totem, added as silhouete in various contexts. Also on display are image designs for logos and movie posters. The works of Lil Tuffy, typically devoid of intricacies, make bold statements on the walls.

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63 Bluxome Street Gallery: Kozik - Some New Stuff.

Comment by AB: Toys, graphics and a dash of fashion, all by the venerable Frank Kozik, round out the docket here. Kozik tells me a bit about his history including his years creating two dimensional works, his evolutionary progression to working primarily in three, and his current brisk business as a creator of collectible toys. For the higher end collectors, he also produces works in bronze. Prices range from $1 to $800.

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